Cradle assembly for boats

ABSTRACT

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cradle assembly for cradling a boat, the cradle assembly comprising: a support, comprising one or more support fenders; one or more enclosure fenders extending along opposite lengths of the support; an arrestor located at one end of the support; an open-ended enclosure for a boat being formed between the support, the one or more enclosure fenders and the arrestor, the one or more support fenders facing into the enclosure, and the open end of the open-ended enclosure being opposite the arrestor.

The present invention relates to a cradle assembly, and in particular acradle assembly for cradling a boat. The present invention also relatesto a boat having such a cradle assembly, for use in cradling a smallerboat within the cradle assembly of the, for example larger, boat.

Cradle assemblies are used to retrieve or capture a boat, to store aboat, and/or to release or launch a boat. Such a cradle assembly mayattach to or form part of a land-based structure, or may be part of orform a floating structure. For instance, a cradle assembly may be usedin a relatively large boat in order to cradle a relatively smaller boatwithin that larger boat.

Typically, a cradle assembly takes the form of a rigid frame, usuallycomprising interconnected metal struts or the like. The frame is usuallyshaped, or more generally configured, to cooperate with the shape of theboat to be received by the cradle assembly. For instance, the frame maydefine a shape that matches, or substantially matches, a shape of a hullof a boat to be received and cradled, such that the boat may be cradledin an effective manner. However, and typically, little regard is givento protection of the cradle, or perhaps more importantly the boat, inthe design and construction of existing cradle assemblies.

If a boat is to be received and captured by a cradle assembly, it islikely that the boat will need to be, in some way, propelled into/ontothe cradle assembly. This will involve the boat coming into contact withthe cradle assembly. Such contact can result in damage to the frame ofthe cradle assembly, or the boat, and in particular the hull of theboat. This is particularly true if the boat is to be captured at speed.For instance, it is not always convenient or possible to capture theboat when the boat is stationary or almost stationary, or moving at avery low speed. In some instances, the boat will be moving at arelatively high speed, perhaps not usually associated with conventionalcradling assemblies.

It is an aim of exemplary embodiments of the present invention toprovide an apparatus which obviates or mitigates one or moredisadvantages of the prior art, whether identified herein or elsewhere,or to provide an alternative to existing apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus as setforth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will beapparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cradleassembly for cradling a boat, the cradle assembly comprising: a support,comprising one or more support fenders; one or more enclosure fendersextending along opposite lengths of the support; an arrestor located atone end of the support; an open-ended enclosure for a boat being formedbetween the support, the one or more enclosure fenders and the arrestor,the one or more support fenders facing into the enclosure, and the openend of the open-ended enclosure being opposite the arrestor.

At least a part of one or more of the following may be deformable orresiliently deformable: the one or more support fenders; the one or moreenclosure fenders; and/or the arrestor.

The support fenders and/or the enclosure fenders may be controllablyinflatable and/or controllably deflatable. That is, the fenders may beinflated or deflated to stable states between fully inflated and fullydeflated.

The support fenders and/or the enclosure fenders may comprise or beprovided with cladding.

The support fenders and/or the enclosure fenders, and/or any claddingthereof, may comprise one or more of, or a combination of:polychloroprene and/or chlorosulfonated polyethylene. Alternatively, anysynthetic or natural rubber may be used.

The support fenders, and/or the enclosure fenders, may comprise one ormore of: a predominantly energy absorbing support fender; and/or apredominantly load bearing support fender.

The support fenders, and/or the enclosure fenders, may comprise apredominantly energy absorbing support fender and/or a predominantlyload bearing support fender. The energy absorbing support fender maycover or overly the load bearing support fender.

The arrestor may comprise an adjuster for adjusting a resistance (e.g.to deformation by a boat) provided by the arrestor.

The arrestor may comprise a net and/or one or more kinetic energyrecovery elements. The kinetic energy recovery elements may be used tofix the net to an object, and/or may form a part of the net.

The support may comprise first and second support sections, spaced apartfrom one another along a length of the support, and arranged to supportfor and aft sections of the boat.

A position and/or orientation of one or more parts of the support may beadjustable.

One or more of the enclosure fenders may be configured to remain incontact with the boat when the boat is located in the enclosure.

One or more fenders may be provided to form a guide to the open end ofthe enclosure. These fenders may be the same as the enclosure fenders,and might be described as enclosure fenders.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a boatcomprising the cradle assembly of the first aspect of the invention. Theboat is thus capable of cradling a smaller boat in the boat cradleassembly.

The cradle assembly may be located in a section of the boat, withinwhich section a fluid level is controllable to: lower the smaller boaton to the support of the cradle assembly; and/or to raise the smallerboat from the support.

Features of any aspect/embodiment described herein may, whereappropriate to the skilled person, be combined with and/or replace afeature of another aspect/embodiment, without departing from the scopeof the invention as defined by the claims.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how exampleembodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will bemade, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic Figuresin which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an end-on view of a cradle assemblyaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a plan view of the cradle assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts detail of the arrestor of FIG. 1 and FIG.2;

FIGS. 4-6 schematically depict details of the enclosure fenders of FIG.1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 schematically depicts detail of the support fender of FIG. 1 andFIG. 2;

FIGS. 8-13 schematically depict principles associated with the use ofthe cradle assembly of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2; and

FIG. 14 schematically depicts a boat comprising the cradle assembly ofFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in accordance with another example embodiment of thepresent invention.

One or more problems associated with prior art cradle assemblies and/oran alternative to such prior art cradle assemblies, is provided in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In general terms, anexemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a cradle assemblyfor cradling a boat. The cradle assembly comprises a support. Thesupport comprises one or more support fenders for use in protecting theboat and/or support. One or more enclosure fenders are provided. The oneor more enclosure fenders extend along opposite lengths of the support.In one instance, the enclosure fenders may extend along opposite lengthsof an external periphery of the support, but in other embodiments theenclosure fenders may be attached to, or even extend through thesupport. The ‘length’ may be a direction parallel to a direction inwhich a length of the boat extends, when cradled. The enclosure fendersare provided to, at least in one example, enclose and at least partiallysurround the boat when cradled. One or more enclosure fenders may be incontact with the boat, when cradled. An arrestor is located at one endof the support. The arrestor is provided to arrest motion of the boatwhen it enters into or onto the cradle assembly, and also to at leastpartially enclose the boat together with the closure fenders. Anopen-ended enclosure for the boat is formed between the support, the oneor more enclosure fenders and the arrestor. The one or more supportfenders face into the enclosure. Thus, the boat is enclosed andprotected by the fenders and the arrestor, and may be supported by thesupport. The open end of the open-ended enclosure is opposite thearrestor. The boat enters the enclosure through this open end.

The exemplary embodiment provides a protective enclosure for the boat.Primarily, the protection is such that any damage to the boat duringcapture with the cradle assembly, storing in the cradle assembly, orlaunch from the cradle assembly, is minimised or reduced in comparisonwith existing cradle assemblies which do not have such fenders and/or anarrestor. The protection may allow the boat to be captured at a higherspeed in comparison with existing cradles. At the same time, the fendersand arrestors may provide protection for the cradle assembly itself. Theprotection may thus be important if the boat and/or cradle assembly areto be used on multiple occasions, and are not single-use in nature.

For the purposes of describing the invention and features thereof, a“boat” may be interpreted, at least in one instance, as anything thatmay float and propel itself. Thus, a boat may be a ship, a submersible,a hovercraft, and so on. ‘Boat’ may be interchanged with any of thoseterms, and the perhaps more functional term ‘watercraft’.

Specific exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be describedwith reference to accompanying FIGS. 1 through 14, by way of exampleonly. The Figures have not been drawn to any particular scale, and areprovided as an explanatory aid for the understanding of the principlesunderlying the invention, only. The same features appearing in differentFigures have been given the same reference numerals, for consistency andclarity.

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically depict, respectively, end-on and plan viewsof a cradle assembly (2) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Asshown in those Figures, the cradle assembly (2) of this exemplaryembodiment provides two enclosures (4, 6) for cradling two differentboats. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is notso limited, and principles associated with the cradle assembly may beequally applied to a cradle assembly for cradling only a single boat, orfor cradling more than two boats.

The cradle assembly (2) is shown relative to walls (8), which could, forexample, be walls or floors of a dock, harbour or some other land-basedstructure, or walls of a boat or floating installation. The cradleassembly (2) comprises a support (10). The support (10) is used to holdand support a boat (not shown, but shown in later Figures). The support(10) may be provided with or comprise one or more support fenders (12)that face into the enclosure (4, 6), and which are used to protect aboat from the support (10), and to protect the support (10) from theboat.

A plurality of enclosure fenders (14) are shown as extending alongopposite external or peripheral lengths of the support (10). Theenclosure fenders (14) are provided to prevent a boat coming intocontact with the wall (8), and/or a boat in an adjacent enclosure (4,6). The enclosure fenders (14), or similar or identical fenders, mayextend beyond the extent of the support (10) and beyond an opening (16)of the enclosures (4, 6) to form a guide (18) to each enclosure (4, 6).The guide (18) may be slightly flared or tapered outwardly, facilitatingor improving the guiding functionality.

The assembly (2) also comprises an arrestor (20) located at an end ofthe support (10), opposite to the opening (16) of the enclosures (4, 6).The arrestor (20) is provided to arrest, that is stop, motion of a boatentering into the enclosures (4, 6), and/or to assist in retaining theboat in the respective enclosure (4, 6).

The Figures show that the support (10), and the fenders (12) thereof,the one or more enclosure fenders (14), and the arrestor (20) togetherform the enclosures (4, 6), and might thus be described as providing aprotective cradle for the boat to be located in the enclosures (4, 6).

The support (10) may be formed from one or more solid sections orsimilar. However, it is likely that the support (10) will take the formof a frame or scaffold, which may offer required strength and rigidity,but with lower weight than a more solid block-like construction. Thesupport (10) may comprise a first section (22) and a second section(24), spaced apart from one another along a length of the support (10).The first and second support sections (22, 24) are arranged to supportfore and aft sections of the boat when located in the enclosure (4, 6).The first and second support sections (22, 24) may be raised relative toone or more other sections of the support (10) to provide the requiredsupport to the fore and aft sections of the boat. There may be little orno need to support a mid-section of the boat. However, in anotherembodiment, greater than two support sections may be useful and/orrequired.

The support fenders (12) are conveniently located on the first andsecond support sections (22, 24), since these are likely to be the onlysections of the support (10) that have any to come into contact with theboat.

A position and/or orientation of one or more parts of the support (10)may be adjustable. The adjustment may be such that boats of differentsizes or shapes or the like may be accommodated and supported by thecradle assembly (2). For instance, one or more parts of the support (10)may be raised or lowered, or moved longitudinally along the support—i.e.along a length of the support (10). For instance, one or more of thefirst and/or second support sections (22, 24) may be movedlongitudinally along the support (10) to support boats of differentlengths, or weights, or the like. Similarly, an angle of inclination ofone or more faces of the support (10), for example of the supportsections (22, 24), may be altered to take into account and accommodatedifferent boats having different hull shapes.

Whether or not the support (10) is adjustable in nature, the supportwill generally be shaped to cooperate with the shape of the boat that isto be supported, to make that support more effective. For instance, oneor more struts or the like of the support, or a shape of a holdingsection of the support, may be a reciprocal shape, or at least anapproximated reciprocal shape, of the boat to be supported.

As shown in the Figures, the enclosure fenders (14) substantiallysurround the support, and thus surround a boat when located in theenclosure. Although not shown in the Figures, the enclosure fenders (14)may be biased or located such that when a boat is located in anenclosure (4, 6), the enclosure fenders (14) come into contact with theboat, and remain in contact. This may facilitate retaining of the boatin a certain position, and/or assist in guiding the boat when it entersor leaves the enclosure.

In the Figures, multiple fenders are shown, either as enclosure fenders(14), or support fenders (12). As will be discussed in more detailbelow, these fenders may be individual and independent in form. This mayfacilitate placement or maintenance. However, in other embodiments (notshown), the enclosure fenders, for example, may take the form of asingle continuous fender that extends substantially around the support,or attaches to the support, or extends through the support. The same maybe true of the support fenders (12).

In order to facilitate the guiding of the boat into or out of anenclosure (4, 6), and/or the retention of the boat within an enclosure(4, 6), and/or to facilitate the general protection of the boat when inan enclosure (4, 6), the one or more support fenders (12), the one ormore enclosure fenders (14), and/or the arrestor (20) are likely, inpractice, to be deformable or resiliently deformable. Such deformationmay make it easier to accommodate the boat in the enclosure (4, 6),and/or add to the facilitate protection of the boat or cradle assembly(2). Preferably, the fenders and/or the arrestor will be resilientlydeformable, in that after deformation has taken place, the shape of thefenders and/or arrestor returns, or substantially returns, to itsinitial shape for subsequent, repeated use. This allows for multiple useof the cradle assembly (2) without having to replace or in some wayrestore the configuration of one or more parts of the cradle assembly.

In general, the fenders (12, 16) may comprise one or both of an energyabsorbing component and/or a load bearing component. The energyabsorbing component may be provided to absorb impacts when, for example,the boat enters the enclosure, or moves around within the enclosure. Theload bearing component may be used to support the energy absorbingcomponent, and/or used to support the weight of the boat, if and whenthe boat is supported by the support (10). The energy absorbingcomponent may be more deformable than the load bearing component.

General principles associated with the cradle assembly (2) have beendescribed in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2. Exemplary detail of theconstruction of the cradle assembly (2), and also of use of the cradleassembly (2), will now be provided with reference to FIGS. 3 to 14.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts exemplary detail of an example embodimentof the arrestor (20). The arrestor (20) comprises a net (30). The net(30) may be formed from one or more interconnected elements or strandsor similar. The elements or strands or similar may be synthetic innature, for example formed from a polymer material or the like. The netmay be elastic in nature, to facilitate deformation and its arrestingfunction. Elements of the net (30) may be enveloped in foam, forexample, expanded or solid foam. The foam may be housed in a tube. Thisoverall arrangement may assist in protecting the net from damage, and/ormay assist in spreading a load provided on the net (30).

The net (30) may be attached to a surrounding structure using one ormore fixation points (32), and via one or more attachment elements (34).The attachment elements (34) might preferably take the form of kineticenergy recovery elements, sometimes referred to as kinetic elements orrecovery elements. Alternatively and/or additionally, the net (30) maycomprise such elements. The elements (34) may facilitate the provisionof an elastic restoring force to the net, and a boat in contact with thenet. This may thus provide a convenient way of decelerating and thusarresting a boat that comes into contact with the net (30).

The arrestor (20) may further comprise one or more adjusters (36) foradjusting a resistance provided by the arrestor (20). The adjuster oradjusters (36) may form part of, or be attached to, one or more of thefixation points (32). The adjuster (36) may take any suitable form, forexample a winch or ratchet-type mechanism, or any mechanism that may beselectively controlled to selectively control the resistance provided bythe arrestor (20), for example by controlling a tension of the net (30)and/or the attachment elements (34).

Although not shown in FIG. 3, area or areas of the arrestor (20), or inparticular the net (30), that are likely to come into contact with theboat (for example, a bow or similar) may be reinforced. Thereinforcement may involve the use of a greater thickness of net elementor similar, or reinforcing the net element or elements in that region,for example using the foam and/or tubing described above.

Each individual enclosure may be provided with an individual,independent arrestor (20). In other embodiments, a single arrestor mayextend across and define one or more enclosures, as for example shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts exemplary detail of an example embodimentof the enclosure fender (14). The Figure shows an end-on view of theenclosure fender (14). As will be understood from a review of FIG. 4 incombination with FIGS. 1 and/or 2, the enclosure fender (14) may have asubstantially square or rectangular face and a relatively shallow depth.The enclosure fender (14) might thus be described as being a mattress,or mattress-like in shape or function.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the enclosure fender (14) is likely to berequired to absorb an impact force, for example when a boat enters theenclosure or when the boat moves around within the enclosure. In orderto achieve this functionality, the enclosure fender (14) may be energyabsorbing in nature. This may be achieved by providing an enclosurefender (14) that is inflatable and deflatable, in nature. This mayfacilitate the required energy absorption in a convenient manner, andallow for the degree of inflation or deflation to be controlled suchthat the resistance or the like offered by the enclosure fender (14) isalso controllable. The fenders (14) may be inflated or deflated tostable states between fully inflated and fully deflated. Such controlmay be useful, for example to take into account different expectedimpact velocities or similar, for example different boat momentums. Theenclosure fender (14) may be selectively inflated and/or deflated usinga valve (40).

A handle (42) might be provided, for convenient movement and positioningof the enclosure fender (14).

The enclosure fender (14) may be substantially hollow, or comprisesubstantially hollow cells, to allow for the inflation/deflationdescribed above. The skin or material (44) of the fender (14) may besomething that is substantially water or chemically resistant, andresistant to abrasion and/or impact. For instance, the material (44) maybe or comprise polychloroprene, sometimes referred to more generally byits trade mark NEOPRENE™ Perhaps an even more abrasion resistantmaterial might be used, for example chlorosulfonated polyethylene,sometimes referred to by its trade mark HYPALON™. Depending on theexpected impact forces and degree of abrasion, it may well be that othermaterials might be suitable, for example any synthetic rubber.

In addition to a primary material or skin, the enclosure fender (14)might additionally comprise or be provided with cladding (46), extendingfully or partially around the underlying skin or material (44). FIG. 4shows that two bands of cladding (46) extend around the underlying skinor material (44). The location of these bands (46) may be chosen tocoincide with an expected area of high abrasion or impact forces orsimilar, for example a rim or protrusion of a boat that is to come intocontact with the enclosure fender (14). The cladding (46) may be orcomprise polychloroprene, sometimes referred to more generally by itstrade mark NEOPRENE™. Perhaps an even more abrasion resistant materialmight be used, for example chlorosulfonated polyethylene, sometimesreferred to by its trade mark HYPALON™. Depending on the expected impactforces and degree of abrasion, it may well be that other materials mightbe suitable, for example any synthetic rubber.

FIG. 5 shows that the enclosure fender (14) may be attached to aneighbouring wall and floor (8) using appropriate fixings (50), forexample one or more elephant feet, bolts and eyes, hooks and eyes,carabiners, or similar. The exact nature of the fixings may depend onwhether the fixing is to be permanent, temporary, or selective insofaras that the enclosure fender (14) may be easily and readily installedand uninstalled relative to the wall and floor (8).

FIG. 6 shows that an enclosure fender (14) may be located with respectto a floor (8), and that there may not necessarily be an adjacent wall.For instance, this may apply to enclosure fenders (14) that separate oneenclosure from another, such as the centrally located fenders of FIGS. 1and 2. Referring back to FIG. 6, keeping the enclosure fender (14)upright may require one or more fixings (50) as already described. Thesefixings may be used in combination with one or more fixing elements oraids (52), such as straps, ropes, or the like, that interconnect withthose fixings (50), for example to provide an A-frame-like structure ora cruciform-like structure. This, in combination with any naturalbuoyancy of the enclosure fender (14), may keep, or assist in keeping,the enclosure fender (14) upright/vertical.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts exemplary detail of an example embodimentof a support fender (12). The support fender (12) is shown relative to apart of the support (10), for example a strut or frame-part thereof.

When a boat enters or leaves the enclosure, the boat may incidentally orintentionally strike the support fender (12). Additionally, the boatmay, and likely will, need to be fully supported by the support (10) atsome point, for example when the boat is loaded onto the support (10).To take into account this dual purpose nature of the support (10), orparts thereof, the support fender (12) might have a compositeconstruction. That is, the support fender (12) may comprise animpact/energy absorbing inflatable fender component (44) which may be atleast partially clad (46), much the same as, or identical to, theenclosure fender previously described. In addition, however, the supportfender (12) may comprise an underlying load bearing fender component(60). The energy absorbing fender (44) may lie on top of, and thereforecover, the underlying load bearing fender (60), to protect the loadbearing fender (60) from impact. The load bearing fender (60) may bemore resilient and/or less deformable than the overlying fender (44),and for example be or comprise solid rubber or similar. The load bearingfender (60) may comprise a sheet or the like of such material, or aframe or the like of such material.

Both the energy absorbing fender (44?) and the load bearing fender (60)may, together, be mounted or stacked or similar on a relatively rigidpanel or board (62). The panel or board (62) may be provided to assistin the mounting of the energy absorbing fender (44) and the load bearingfender (60) to the support (10), and/or be provided to dissipate, inuse, forces imparted onto those fenders (44, 60) to the underlyingsupport structure (10). The panel or board (62) may be formed from, forinstance, a polymer based structure or material.

In the embodiments, the use of inflation or deflation of fenders, orfender components, has been described, for example to select a fendinglevel or resistance. In other embodiments, a fixed fender providingfixed (that is, not controllable) fending properties may be provided.For instance, a spring or other biasing means-based fender may be used.

FIGS. 8 to 13 will now be used to describe use of the cradle assemblydescribed above.

In FIG. 8, a boat (70) is shown approaching the cradle assembly (2). Theboat (70) impacts against enclosure fenders, or more generally fenders(14), forming a guide (18) of the cradle assembly (2).

FIG. 9 shows that as a result of the guiding, the boat (70) is guidedinto the enclosure (4). However, the boat (70) is still moving, andneeds to be arrested.

FIG. 10 shows the boat (70) impacting against the deformable arrestor(20). The arrestor (20) deforms and, as a result, arrests movement ofthe boat (70).

FIG. 11 shows that the arrestor (20) has returned substantially to itsoriginal form, and, as a result, has returned the boat (70) into theenclosure (4) of the cradle assembly (2). FIG. 11 shows that, as alreadydiscussed above, the boat (70) is now retained within the cradleassembly (2) by being substantially enclosed by the arrestor (20),enclosure fenders (14) and the underlying support (10).

FIG. 12 shows an end-on view of the cradle assembly (2) and boat (70) ofFIG. 11. FIG. 12 shows that the boat (70) floats in fluid, typicallywater, having a fluid level (80). Thus, even if the boat (70) did insome way impact one or more parts of the support (10) during entry intothe cradle assembly (2), at this point the boat (70) is not actuallysitting on and supported by the support (10).

FIG. 13 shows that the fluid level (80) has decreased, allowing the boat(70) to be located onto the support (10), and thus adequately supportedby the support (10). The lowering of the fluid level (80) may beachieved actively, for example by use of one or more pumps to reduce thefluid level (80), or by opening one or more outlets to reduce the fluidlevel (80). Alternatively, the reduction in fluid level (80) may beachieved more naturally or passively, for example by way of tidal flowor similar.

FIGS. 8 through 13 show how a boat (70) may be captured by and supportedby the cradle assembly (2). Viewing the Figures in reverse from FIG. 13through FIG. 8, it will be appreciated that the boat (70) may belaunched by first raising the fluid level (80) to take the boat (70) offthe support (10), thus allowing the boat (70) to move. The boat (70) maymove under its own propulsion, or by external propulsion means, forexample one or more launch arms or pistons or similar.

FIG. 14 shows the cradle assembly (2) forming a part of a boat (90).This allows the boat (90) to capture and cradle, or launch, a smallerboat (70). Access to the cradle assembly may be achieved via one or moredoors (92) of the boat (90).

The present invention might be particularly suited for use in, or inconnection with, such a larger boat (90). For instance, the advantagesalready described above may facilitate a smaller boat (70) entering andbeing captured by the larger boat (90) when the smaller boat (70) istravelling at relatively high speed. This may save time, in particular,in the capturing of the smaller boat (70), in comparison with the use ofa prior art cradle assembly where the speed of the smaller boat may needto be significantly reduced to avoid significant damage to the cradleassembly or the boat itself. More generally, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment, this means that the relative speed between thelarger boat (90) and the smaller boat (70) during capture may also begreater than in the prior art, without resulting in damage to thesmaller boat (70), the cradle assembly (2) and/or the larger boat (90).

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filedconcurrently with or previous to this specification in connection withthis application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A boat comprising a cradle assembly, theboat being capable of cradling a smaller boat in the cradle assembly,the cradle assembly comprising: a support, comprising one or moresupport fenders; one or more enclosure fenders extending along oppositelengths of the support; an arrestor located at one end of the support,the arrestor including an adjuster for adjusting a resistance providedby the arrestor; and an open-ended enclosure for the smaller boat beingformed between the support, the one or more enclosure fenders and thearrestor, the one or more support fenders facing into the enclosure, andthe open end of the open-ended enclosure being opposite the arrestor,wherein the one or more enclosure fenders comprise an energy absorbingcomponent configured to absorb impact when the smaller boat enters theenclosure, and wherein the cradle assembly is configured to be locatedin a section of the boat, within which section a fluid level iscontrollable to at least one of lower the smaller boat on to the supportof the cradle assembly and raise the smaller boat from the support. 2.The boat of claim 1, wherein at least a part of one or more of thefollowing is deformable or resiliently deformable: the one or moresupport fenders; the one or more enclosure fenders; and the arrestor. 3.The boat of claim 1, wherein at least one of the support fenders and theenclosure fenders are at least one of controllably inflatable andcontrollably deflatable.
 4. The boat of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe support fenders and the enclosure fenders comprise cladding.
 5. Theboat of claim 1, wherein at least one of the support fenders, theenclosure fenders, and any cladding thereof, comprise one or more ofpolychloroprene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene.
 6. The boat of claim1, wherein the support fenders comprise one or more of a predominantlyenergy absorbing support fender and a predominantly load bearing supportfender.
 7. The boat of claim 1, wherein the support fenders comprise apredominantly energy absorbing support fender and a predominantly loadbearing support fender, the energy absorbing support fender covering theload bearing support fender.
 8. The boat of claim 1, wherein thearrestor comprises at least one of a net and one or more kinetic energyrecovery elements.
 9. The boat of claim 1, wherein the support comprisesfirst and second support sections, spaced apart from one another along alength of the support, and arranged to support fore and aft sections ofthe smaller boat.
 10. The boat of claim 9, wherein at least one of aposition and orientation of one or more parts of the support isadjustable.
 11. The boat of claim 1, wherein one or more of theenclosure fenders are configured to remain in contact with the smallerboat when the smaller boat is located in the enclosure.
 12. The boat ofclaim 1, wherein one or more enclosure fenders are provided to form aguide to the open end of the enclosure.
 13. A cradle assembly forcradling a first boat, the cradle assembly comprising: a support,comprising one or more boat support fenders, wherein the supportcomprises first and second support sections, spaced apart from oneanother along a length of the support, and arranged to support fore andaft sections of the first boat; one or more enclosure fenders extendingalong opposite lengths of the support; an arrestor located at one end ofthe support, wherein the arrestor comprises an adjuster for adjusting aresistance provided by the arrestor; and an open-ended enclosure for thefirst boat being formed between the support, the one or more enclosurefenders and the arrestor, the one or more boat support fenders facinginto the enclosure, and the open end of the open-ended enclosure beingopposite the arrestor; wherein at least a part of one or more of thefollowing is deformable or resiliently deformable: the one or more boatsupport fenders; the one or more enclosure fenders; and the arrestor,wherein the enclosure fenders comprise an energy absorbing componentconfigured to absorb impact when the first boat enters the enclosure,and wherein the cradle assembly is configured to be located in a sectionof a second boat, within which section a fluid level is controllable toat least one of lower the first boat on to the support of the cradleassembly and to raise the first boat from the support.
 14. The cradleassembly of claim 13, wherein: at least one of the boat support fendersand the enclosure fenders are at least one of controllably inflatableand controllably deflatable; and at least one of the boat supportfenders and the enclosure fenders comprise cladding.
 15. The cradleassembly of claim 13, wherein the arrestor comprises at least one of anet and one or more kinetic energy recovery elements.
 16. The cradle ofclaim 13, wherein one or more enclosure fenders are provided to form aguide to the open end of the enclosure.
 17. A boat comprising a cradleassembly, the boat being capable of cradling a smaller boat in thecradle assembly, the cradle assembly comprising: a support, comprisingone or more support fenders, the support including first and secondsupport sections, spaced apart from one another along a length of thesupport, and arranged to support fore and aft sections of the smallerboat; one or more enclosure fenders extending along opposite lengths ofthe support; an arrestor located at one end of the support; and anopen-ended enclosure for the smaller boat being formed between thesupport, the one or more enclosure fenders and the arrestor, the one ormore support fenders facing into the enclosure, and the open end of theopen-ended enclosure being opposite the arrestor; wherein the one ormore enclosure fenders comprise an energy absorbing component configuredto absorb impact when the smaller boat enters the enclosure, and whereinthe cradle assembly is configured to be located in a section of theboat, within which section a fluid level is controllable to at least oneof lower the first boat on to the support of the cradle assembly andraise the first boat from the support.
 18. The cradle assembly of claim17, wherein the arrestor includes at least one of a net and one or morekinetic energy recovery elements, the arrestor configured to arrestmotion of the smaller boat when the smaller boat enters into or onto thecradle assembly.